Lighting Design Intern | Chicago, IL

IMEG; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor program

Intern cohort

Path to full-time

Job summary

IMEG is hiring an Architectural Lighting Intern in Chicago, IL for a 10-12 week summer program. The paid internship provides mentored, hands-on experience with real project work alongside seasoned lighting designers.

You will support design and documentation tasks, help create client presentations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams while staying mindful of project budgets and client expectations. The team’s projects span hospitality, mixed use, education, and related environments.

Qualifications

• Completed at least 2 years toward a BS/BA degree in Architectural Engineering or related fields such as Theatrical Lighting Design or Interior Design.
• Strong interest in architectural lighting design consulting.
• Exposure to CAD and/or BIM software.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Assist design portions of projects related to discipline systems according to code and IMEG standards.
• Research commercially available equipment; support luminaire selections, layouts, illuminance targets, and design documentation.
• Help maintain client relations, project design notebooks, and permanent record documentation.
• Coordinate design and schedule activities with architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, technology teams.
• Document design decisions, meetings, and client instructions while monitoring progress.

Skills

CAD software

BIM software

MS Office

Communication

Lighting design interest

Education

BS/BA in Architectural Engineering or related field

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

100% Employee-Owned · Big-firm resources, local-team relationships, ONE IMEG culture

This posting is for Summer 2027 Internship opportunities.

IMEG is hiring an Architectural Lighting Intern in Chicago, IL. Over 10-12 weeks, you’ll assist in the analysis, design, and implementation oversight of architectural lighting systems for a variety of building types. This paid, mentored internship offers hands‑on involvement in real project work alongside experienced architectural lighting designers.

In this role, you’ll support design and documentation tasks, help create client presentations, and contribute to project work while collaborating with cross-functional teams and staying mindful of project budgets and client expectations. You’ll be part of a team whose work spans hospitality, mixed use, education, and related building environments, with a specialty focus on architectural lighting design and coordination.

At a Glance

Location: Chicago, IL

Discipline: Architectural Lighting

Markets: Hospitality; Mixed Use; Education; MEP

Ownership: 100% employee-owned (ESOP)

Work Schedule: Full-time in office

Program Length: 10-12 week summer program

Sponsorship: Not available

What You’ll Do

• Assist with design portions of projects related to discipline systems according to code and IMEG standards
• Research commercially available equipment and support luminaire selections, lighting layouts, illuminance targets, and design documentation
• Help maintain client relations, project design notebooks, and permanent record documentation
• Coordinate design and schedule activities with architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, technology, clerical, and equipment-supplier teams
• Document design decisions, meetings, and client instructions while monitoring project design progress
• Review project documents for accuracy and completeness prior to final check
• Prepare and issue addendum information
• Conduct periodic job site observations and provide other services required by the contract services agreement
• Support project goals and client expectations while working within project monetary budgets
• Create client presentations and document design selections in Revit or less frequently AutoCAD

What You’ll Bring

Required

• Completed at least 2 years towards a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Architectural Engineering, or Theatrical Lighting Design, Interior Design or equivalent required
• Strong interest in architectural lighting design consulting
• Previous exposure to CAD and/or BIM software
• Proficient with MS Office Suite including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to clearly communicate in both oral and written communication to individuals or groups

Preferred

• Prior internship experience in the building design consulting industry preferred

About the Team

If you are a visionary designer who balances creative artistry with technical precision, we want you to join our dynamic team in New York City. We operate as a collaborative, national practice composed of studios in NYC, Detroit, Chicago, and Denver. In this role, you will collaborate on high-visibility, award-winning architectural lighting projects from initial concept to successful completion. You will work across a diverse range of vibrant sectors—including corporate workplace, hospitality, gaming, healthcare, multifamily, and sports and recreation. If you are ready to design alongside talented, lighting and multi-disciplinary colleagues and partner with an impressive roster of clients, we want to hear from you.

Why IMEG

We put people at the center of who we are, creating positive outcomes for people, communities, and our planet.

• A paid internship with real, hands‑on project work, not busywork
• A structured program with an assigned mentor and a cohort of fellow interns
• A clear path to full-time: many interns and co-ops convert to full-time roles at IMEG
• IDEA Program: a firm-wide innovation accelerator where employees across every discipline develop and scale new tools, from VR and AI to carbon-reduction technology
• Real impact from day one: at IMEG, an intern once became our Virtual Reality leader
• Exposure across disciplines and offices at a 100+ office, employee-owned firm
• MEG, our in-house AI platform, helps employees find information and build agents that streamline project workflows and calculations

State of Illinois Salary Range: $22.00/hr–$24.00/hr

The range listed above represents the base pay IMEG reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position in the work location identified above at the time of posting. For positions available in multiple locations, the minimums and maximums may vary based on work location.

Individual compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and licensure and certifications.

Other rewards may include annual bonuses and stock ownership options. In addition, IMEG provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO). This information is being provided in compliance with local laws. Additional information regarding employee benefits may be found on our company website at www.imegcorp.com.

IMEG , an employee-owned corporation, is committed to investing in employees’ futures through professional development programs and opportunities for career advancement. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including generous PTO, flexible schedule, and assistance with tuition reimbursement. Additionally, employees are eligible to enroll in health, dental, vision, and life insurance on their first day of employment.

All applicants have the right to request access, correction, and deletion of their personal information from our system. In order to make a request, please email [e-mail].